Overview & Reviews

One of America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge has been around since the early days of the auto industry. In the past couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.

Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I.

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning.

Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways throughout the 1960s. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Dodge's muscle car was based on the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970.

As with other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. The company was saved from extinction in the early '80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Ideal for families and able to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan.

The early '90s saw the company wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a new standard for big-rig-like styling. A few years later, Dodge came to be part of DaimlerChrysler, a result of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler.

The merger never really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a private equity firm in 2007. Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries had been roundly criticized for mediocre build quality and unrefined performance.

More recent years have seen Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a separate Ram brand. But make no mistake; Dodge is still considered Chrysler's performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is.

User Reviews:

• 

  I love it! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Tjsmith - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about my new Durango. I would recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Awesome Truck - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By EMT Ryan - August 10 - 11:52 pm

  I was looking for a nice truck that was fully loaded, but wasnt too large. After comparing all of the models available, I noticed that the smaller, almost car-sized trucks were comparable to price of the Dakota. After taking it for a quick test drive, I immediately noticed that the V6 Magnum had the power that could be used if needed. Great interior - almost nice enough to be considered luxury - and all the features you could ask for. Great ride all in all. I average 18-22mpg combined, which isnt too bad for a truck this size. Towed my 16 foot, 1500lb boat with no effort. Nice stock stereo system. New design for the exterior makes the truck look much nicer. Great truck for the money!

• 

  great car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By LENZ001 - August 10 - 6:14 pm

  Bought the 3.5 l so I could enjoy the look and feel and still afford to drive it. Gets looks everywhere I go and everyone I talk to agree gas mileage is way to go. No regrets at all still has get up and go

• 

  hot ride - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By lessy - August 10 - 4:57 pm

  This car is fun to drive and does really good off t he road. It gets great gas mileage for being an suv and is one of the most comfortable riding cars I have ever ridden in. It has a lot of room but still is not too big to go places.

• 

  Best car for the money - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Dave K - August 10 - 3:52 pm

  Lee Iacocca said it best many years ago - "if you can find a better car - buy it". This car is one of the best cars I have found for day to day driving. It has everything you need and even some extras. This car has it all over the Ford Escort wagon that I traded in for the Caliber. I have been a design engineer for many years, so I feel that I can say with some authority, that this car is a good solid machine with no serious design flaws. It will last for many years in daily driving with very few problems (no - I dont work for an auto company!). This is the first "small" car that I have seen with midsize car seating room and comfort.

• 

  Hits the mark. - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Bruce - August 10 - 11:56 am

  Traditionally a gm owner, I bought my 03 Durango from a family friend because the price was right and it had 3 rows of seating for my growing family. Surprisingly, it gets the same fuel mileage as the rear drive Buick it replaced. In the year I have driven it I have repaired nothing and am very pleased. It does everything I want very well and makes no excuses for being a truck. A bit of a rough ride in the city, but great on the highway. With the great style and capability, I like this truck more than when I bought it. With winters in southern ontario getting more and more wild, the 4wd is great fun. I have started out in snow drifts up to the front grill with ease.

• 

  Maybe its just me... - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By jnreed - August 9 - 11:29 pm

  Ok, so maybe its just me but I have had nothing but problems with my Avenger. It was my first car, I got it last year for about $1500, and between normal things and major things, I have spent over $3000 fixing it. Distributor went, MAP senser went, and now it just wont start so its sitting in ym driveway. Main ignition fuse blew 2 times. Stalled 3 times in 2 months. I love the car, just had too many problems.

• 

  Dodge Hot Rod - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Kurt - August 8 - 9:40 pm

  This car is sharp looking. Has the sport suspension, wheels, tires, fog lights. Lots of power for the money. Fun to drive. Very responsive.

• 

  2004 dakota club cab V-6 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By fred - August 8 - 9:35 am

  Replaced my 1995 Dakota with the 2004 because it had 244k miles and I didnt like the 2005 body style. I now have 116k miles. Replaced water pump, tires x 1. Still have original battery! Love it but regret not keeping the 95 (the guy I sold it to ran it into the ground) and buying a durango for the covered cargo area for luggage and groceries.

• 

  Great Diamond-Star - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By johnho - August 8 - 1:49 am

  Original owner of a rare ES with 2.0L 5-speed. Had to wait six months just for the factory to build it!!! 140,000 salt-free miles and the paint looks great. Best of all I get 32MPG in mixed driving. Still love the interior cockpit layout and the clean yet aggressive exterior styling. I only wish todays Moper had something that could replace it if I wanted a new car. Other than the usual wear items,my only problem was a reoccurring hesitation issue at low RPMs starting around 90,000 milestried everything to fix it! The dealer tried to tell me I babied it too much and caused carbon build-up on the valves? Nope! Recently replaced the crank sensor and that seems to have taken care of it.